Colorado Enhances Physical Therapy Act

Legislation signed into law last week in Colorado moves the physical therapy profession forward while ensuring public protection and direct access to physical therapists. Senate Bill 169, signed May 13 by Gov John Hickenlooper, is a major legislative achievement and the culmination of several years of advocacy work by the Colorado Chapter.

Senate Bill 169 reconfirms the unrestricted direct access of physical therapists (PTs) in Colorado. It also re-establishes an independent rule-promulgating physical therapy licensing board to replace the 7-member advisory committee currently operating under the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. The new board will consist of 5 licensed PTs and 2 public members appointed by the governor. The newly created board will be responsible for drafting rules on continued competency of PTs and physical therapist assistants (PTAs).

The new law also authorizes the physical therapy board to certify PTAs and offers title protection for them for the first time in Colorado’s history. Additionally, SB 169 requires PTs to maintain professional liability insurance to practice in Colorado and expands the PT's scope of practice to include all components of wound care.

Colorado Chapter leaders witness Gov John Hickenlooper signing into law SB 169, which re-establishes an independent rule-promulgating physical therapy licensing board and calls for the regulation of physical therapist assistants.

Posted by News Now Staff at 3:05 PM

Labels:
None

Comments

Congratulations CO PTs! I'm sure this news is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication to enhancing the PT profession in your state. I hope to become a practicing PT in this state sometime in the near future!

Posted by Rick Willenbring
on 5/20/2011 5:04 PM

Great legislative work! We may need to borrow your lobbying plan of action for such success in Kansas!
Congratulations.

Posted by Carolyn Bloom
on 5/20/2011 9:50 PM

Way to go. Congratulations, great work for our profession, maybe AZ can benefit.

Posted by Esther Bamford
on 5/21/2011 9:50 AM

Way to go Colorado!

Posted by Christine Prelaz
on 5/23/2011 5:37 AM

congratulation Colorado PT.I am Michigan PT. I like to know. 1)Why direct access to physical therapy was denied so long. 2) What are the factors which made their mind to change
Thanks
Deepak PT
(Please do not misuse my e mail address)